HEAVY weekend rain has seriously increased the flood threat in Swan Hill.
The deluge necessitated emergency pumping to be used to alleviate local flooding in Swan Hill and drainage water backed up on the Tyntydynder Flats and Pental Island.
With the Murray River this morning at major flood level on 4.72m and heavy rains in catchment regions, the State Emergency Service has called a strategy meeting for 3pm today.
Almost 100mm (four inches) was dumped on Swan Hill and water entered a number of homes in Milloo Crescent when a stormwater run-off dam for Federal Square filled.
At the southern end of Milloo Street between Mobil depot and the river, the dam was the scene of frantic activity last night.
Fire units and a barrage of portable pumps were used to lower the level by pumping into the swollen Murray.
Swan Hill City Council staff were still at the site this morning.
Last night water partly covered Milloo Crescent and Naretha Street and some Swan Hill North streets.
Water about 30cm deep today covers a 5km stretch of the Lalbert Road about 23km from Swan Hill and police have asked motorists to avoid the road if possible.
Floodwater also covers the Murray Valley Highway at Vinifera and Lake Charm, but should not cause motorists problems.
One lane of the highway at Reedy Lake and Lake Boga has been closed.
Weekend rainfall was variable, but heavy falls were received across the district.
Nyah recorded about 100mm, Manangatang 55mm, Lalbert about 50mm, Kyalote 78mm and Pental Island about 120mm.
Pental Island farmer and Pental Island River Management Board deputy district chairman Cr Keith Greenham said all island farmers were now pumping to discharge water built up in paddocks which could not gravitate back into the Murray.
“With this strong wind blowing the high land will dry off pretty quickly,” he said.
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